An Important Letter From WSSC

I am writing to you with some sad news about a member of our school community. One of our staff members, Grace McGarigle, has sadly passed away last night.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with the Grace’s family and friends.

Today and over the coming weeks, you may be concerned about the reactions of your child to this news. Many students will wish to talk with their parents, so I have attached some general information which may assist you in those conversations. I also encourage you to let your child know that you are aware of this incident and that you will listen to their concerns at any time they wish to share them. Staying connected and engaged with your child is one of the best ways to support them (when talking about the issue of death try to include discussion about positive ways of managing problems).

Each individual deals with grief in different ways. Two important messages to promote are:

All of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable.

Young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend or themselves.

Deaths may trigger a range of feelings amongst students and staff, as well as their parents, family and friends.

Wodonga Senior Secondary College will be concentrating on supporting our students and staff over the coming months. This means, among other things, maintaining a normal routine within the school and recognising that people can be affected by this event for many months to come. If your child appears upset by this event and is already using the services of a mental health professional, you should ensure this information is passed on to that professional . A list of helpful websites and services is included in the attachments to this letter.

Please feel free to contact House Leaders or class teachers on 0260437500 for further information or if you have any concerns about your child. Contacting the nominated staff is an important way of ensuring you receive consistent and accurate information and for us to be aware of all parent concerns.

When talking with your children remember…

Each child’s or adolescent’s response will be unique and a wide range of reactions are possible.

Their reaction will be influenced by their personality, their past relationship with the deceased person, what is happening in their life now and their ability to adjust to change. Your child, whatever age, needs to find safe ways to express their feelings. They may feel confusion, anger, aggression, withdrawal, fear, guilt, denial, blame, betrayal, abandonment, hurt and sadness. Parental understanding, reassurance and attention are very important at this time. Be guided by your child’s need to talk but make it clear to them that you will be available whenever they need you.

Children and adolescents who have experienced other concerns or losses in their lives may find it harder to cope.

Children and adolescents who have experienced loss (e.g. separation/divorce of parents, death of a relative or pet, moving house/school) may find it harder to cope. They may become upset and need to express their feelings about these other concerns, even though they may have appeared to be coping before the death. If your child is already using the services of a psychologist or psychiatrist for wellbeing concerns, you should ensure they are made aware of this event.

“Tell an adult if you are worried about a friend.”

This is an important message to share with you child in any discussion about how they are coping after a death. Children and adolescents sometimes share their feelings about death with friends: in conversations, letters, e-mails, text messages, on the internet, etc. If young people are aware of friends who they fear may hurt themselves they should tell an adult immediately. Nothing is more important than protecting a life.

Monitor the Internet and mobile communication tools.

Following an untimely death, students may be texting news about the death (both accurate and rumoured), calling for impromptu gatherings (both safe and unsafe), creating online memorials (both moving and risky), and posting messages (both appropriate and hostile) about the deceased. This happens quickly and often to large numbers of people. You can proactively monitor, moderate and influence what and how information is shared between students.

Some adolescents may show reactions weeks/months/a year after an event.

If you are concerned about your child’s reactions – for example, if there are changes to their behaviour such as their socialising or school work patterns – it is important to speak to the House Leaders or Wellbeing staff at the school. This may result in referral to one of the agencies listed in the next attachment.

Be aware that school staff will also be affected.

While everyone will be working towards normalising school routines, some staff will be managing difficult emotions. Adult counselling support is provided to all our school staff through a process outside the school.

Where can parents and young people get more information and help?

ARAFEMI Carer Helpline provides free, confidential information, support and referral for family, carers and friends of people with a mental illness. 1300 550 265, 9am to 5pm weekdays. www.arafemi.org.au

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement provides a range of education, counselling, research and clinical services for those working in and affected by experiences of grief and bereavement. 1800 642 066 www.grief.org.au

Beyondblue provides information about the signs and symptoms of depression, available treatments, how to get help and links to other relevant services and support groups. 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days www.beyondblue.org.au

The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. offers friendship and understanding to families following the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister. (03) 9888 4944; 1800 641 091, 24 hours/7days www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au

Griefline provides confidential telephone counselling services to anyone in the community who may need support in order to express their feelings and experiences. (03) 9935 7400, 12noon to 3am/7 days www.griefline.org.au

Eheadspace offers online and telephone mental health support to young people aged 12 to 25 and their families or friends. Young people can register at www.eheadspace.org.au or call 1800 650 890. Webchat and telephone support is available from 9am to 1am and e-mail is available 24 hours a day.

Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 is a 24 hour telephone and online counselling service for young people from 5-25 years of age www.kidshelpline.com.au

OCD and Anxiety helpline provides assistance to callers to understand and manage symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression, and referral to community and health services. 1300 269 438 or (03) 9830 0533, 10am to 4pm weekdays. www.arcvic.org.au/our-services/helpline

Reach Out! is a web-based service that encourages young people to help themselves through tough times. The aim of the service is to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing by providing support, information and referrals in a format designed for young people. http://au.reachout.com

SANE Australia provides information about mental illness treatments, symptoms, medications, where to go for support and help for carers. 1800 18 SANE (7263), 9am to 5pm weekdays. www.sane.org/helpline/helpline-online

Ybblue, the youth program of beyondblue, promotes the message that it’s acceptable to talk about depression and encourages young people, their families and friends to look out for each other and to get help when it is needed. A set of youth fact sheets with information on a variety of topics, including how to recognise depression and how to talk about it, what services are available to help young people and how to help friends and family who may be going through a tough time can be downloaded from the site. www.youthbeyondblue.com